Event details
Friday 1 December
Saturday 2 December
The willow weaving masterclass will take place from 9.30am to 4.30pm, followed by entry to the house and garden from 5pm.
£190 per person
This expert masterclass includes all materials, refreshments including a picnic lunch, and evening access to Christmas in the house and garden.
Join us for an exclusive opportunity to work with international willow artist Emma Stothard to create your own festive stag sculpture. In this hands on workshop, you will create a 1m willow reindeer sculpture, perfect for decorating your house or garden this Christmas.
As part of your day, enjoy an introductory talk by Emma about her work and experience, followed by the opportunity to master the art of willow weaving.
Refreshments and a locally sourced picnic lunch will be provided. After the workshop, enjoy evening tickets to visit Christmas in the house and garden from 5pm. The house will close at 7.30pm.
Important information:
The workshop will take place outdoors, with hot drinks provided throughout the day. We advise wearing very warm clothing including a hat and thick socks! Willow can be a physically demanding material to work with so please email education@chatsworth.org if you have any access requirements and we will speak to you about your needs.
All tools, PPE and materials are provided.
About Emma Stothard
Acclaimed artist Emma has created beautiful sculptures across the country, including commissions for the Royal Gardens at Highgrove, RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the Great Yorkshire Show. Emma has most recently created a series of striking new sculptures for the Whitby Sculpture Trail.
“I just love willow,” says Emma of the material she started her career with. “It’s a completely natural product, it’s very versatile, it has a wonderful smell, and a real energy. Working with it is almost like drawing in wood – each willow withy tapers naturally, as a line in pencil does. It has an ethereal quality, yet still gives solid shape, form and structure.
“The finished product needs a little more care than the metal versions, depending on the environment it’s in, but look after it, and it’ll last beautifully for years.”
For more information about Emma, visit her website.
More festive fun
Christmas at Chatsworth
Chatsworth will become the Palace of Advent this Christmas, with decorations in the house and a light and sound trail in the garden. Tickets include access to the house, garden and farmyard.
Christmas in the garden
Explore an interactive light and sound trail around the garden, with a dazzling light show transforming the house into a giant advent calendar.
Wild winter willow crowns
9 & 16 December
A children's winter workshop – make a crown from willow and fill it with winter foliage, berries and natural materials.
Paper magic
9 December
A children's Christmas craft workshop
Christmas papercut scene workshop
14 December
Design and create your own 3D festive papercut scene at this introductory tunnel book workshop.
New year's eve ball
31 December
Ring in the New Year at Chatsworth with live music, dancing and a delectable four-course dinner.
Stay with us
With so much to see, do, and explore in the Peak District, it's a shame to only come for the day, so why not stay a little longer? Our country cottages, shepherd's huts, hotels, and inns are the perfect base for exploring all that Chatsworth, Derbyshire, and the Peak District have to offer. Find out more.
